Mikel, Pruett chosen to 'win a trip to PLA 2012'

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CHICAGO – Two winners have been chosen in the ‘win a trip to PLA 2012’ contests that were recently sponsored by the Public Library Association (PLA). Winners will receive free registration to the PLA 2012 Conference, March 13-17 in Pennsylvania, four nights hotel and up to $500 reimbursement for travel to and from the conference.

The first, an essay contest aimed at current MLIS students, required entrants to submit a 150 word essay detailing why they would like to attend PLA 2012 and also showing their creativity and enthusiasm for the public library world. Essays were then evaluated by members of the PLA Board of Directors. Amy Mikel, MLIS student, University of Washington Information School, Seattle, was selected from more than 60 participants to receive the trip to PLA 2012.

PLA also held a short-video contest for librarians, which required entrants to create a 60-second video describing their library and what they would get out of attending PLA 2012. Fifteen contestants submitted entries. The top five videos (judged by members of the PLA Board of Directors) were placed on PLA’s Facebook page for final voting by the public, with the video drawing the highest number of “likes” named the winner. Catherine Pruett, youth services librarian at the Marion County (S.C) Library received 322 likes for her game-show themed video and won the prize. The five finalist videos are still available for viewing at http://www.facebook.com/pla.org.

Offered biennially, PLA Conference is the premier event for public libraries, drawing librarians, library support staff, trustees, friends and library vendors from across the country and around the world. The conference includes nearly 200 top-quality continuing education programs, engaging social events, networking opportunities and a bustling exhibits hall.

PLA is a division of the American Library Association. PLA’s core purpose is to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve, and its mission is to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.